Troup Mobilization: Week 1 and Next Steps

Friends,

Well I arrived at Norfolk Navy base safe and sound last weekend and reported to NMPS (Navy Mobilization and Processing Site) for initial processing on Monday morning. I was lucky in that the group being processed was relatively small (like 40 sailors getting mobilized) and that helped shorten the daily timelines. Monday was a series of welcome aboard briefings (i.e. death by power point) including a chaplain brief, a legal brief, NMPS indoc brief, and the ECRC (Expeditionary Combat Readiness Command) briefing (whom we all pretty much work for in theater if we go there – more on that in a minute). We then went to another building (lots of walking this week) to get fitted for our uniforms that we’ll be wearing – picture the tan and the green style camouflage uniforms you see on TV. The second half of the day was spent at medical and dental processing – fun fun – to let us know what medical and dental items we were delinquent on to get fixed on Tuesday. I was a lucky one at this point – only 5 shots needed and a blood draw for lipids/cholesterol check on Tuesday – which meant I had to fast that night. Most sailors had to get a PSA test (if you are over 40 you probably know what that is). Needless to say the corpsman made mention of the doctor who typically does the test and his nickname of “Dr. Sausage Fingers”. Nobody laughed. Then the corpsman said ‘no, the PSA test is no longer performed “digitally” but merely a blood draw’. At that point, a guy in the crowd sighed “awwww..” – THEN everyone laughed.

On Tuesday morning we all reported to medical to get done what needed to be done. For me it was 3 tubes of blood, a flu shot (flu mist nasally actually), yellow fever shot, tetnus shot, and an anti-meningitis shot. Good news was that I did NOT require the small pox vaccine (where they scrape away some skin with a mini pitchfork then smear the vaccine on the wound site – that’s why most folks have that scar on the upper forearm) nor an anthrax shot (which is the 6 shot series). Other guys, not so lucky – they got the whole kit and caboodle. After that we were done for the day to recover.

Wednesday morning started out with group PT (physical training) where we did a bunch of exercises that I haven’t done since high school gym class (mountain climbers, shuttle runs, etc) – being that all I usually do is push ups, situps and running with some free weights tossed in, I ended up pulling a groin muscle. It still hurts but am trying to get it to stretch out and walking to help it heal – lots of motrin too. After showering up we reported to PSD (Personel Support Detachment) where we needed to check on some admin such as insurance forms for family and to check to see if my ID card was setup correctly to access military systems and was current. Fortunately, I got the new ID card prior to leaving the NOSC in Indianapolis last week and was good to go – others, not so lucky. There was a 4 hour wait to get a new ID card! When I came downstairs from my 10 minutes of admin that I mentioned, I said to the sailors in line (for 2 hours at this point) “hey, I just got a new ID card upstairs – took only 10 minutes” – that woke them up. Then I pretty much dashed their hopes and said “sorry, just kidding” – nothings too cruel if it’s funny enough….

Since at this point I now know where I’ll be for the next year – I mentioned the fact that I don’t need the small pox and anthrax shots is because I will NOT be in Theater in Iraq or Afghanistan or HOA. Instead, I’ll be the LNO (Liaison Naval Officer, senior Navy bubby Officer in Charge) at Fort Riley, Kansas. Yes, a year in Kansas. I was given a choice and took door number 1 to Kansas. My role as OIC (Officer in Charge) will be to help facilitate the sailors (about 200 a month) coming through Fort Riley (one of 9 “Forts” used for training sailors and soldiers prior to going in Theater- Fort Lewis, WA, Camp Shelby, MS, Fort Bliss, El Paso TX, Fort Bragg, NC, Fort Dix, NJ, Fort Hunchuca, AZ, Fort Jackson, SC, Fort Riley, KS, and Fort McCoy, WI) for Army training in preparation for deployment overseas.

ECRC has Navy Liaison Officer (LNO) teams at each of these Army training sites to further assist Sailors during their pre-deployment training. LNOs act as the primary liaison between the Army training Cadre and the Sailors under training to ensure the accurate flow of information and rapid resolution of issues. LNOs update Sailor information used to support IA sailors and family members during training and deployment. LNOs assist with berthing, pay issues, communications, scheduling, uniforms, transportation, documentation, surveys, database updates and informational archives. Basically, I expect it to be “ground hog day” every month as I’m sure sailors will have similar issues each month regarding pay, etc. Although I’ll not be on the “pointy end of the spear” for the GWOT, the job is important and I’ll do what I can to help our sailors get through this stressful time.

I went to the ECRC office at Little Creek Navy base (20 miles from Norfolk) and met with my ECRC sponsor and got some gouge (info) on the job and what SOP I need to follow. I also got a bag full of new clothes (the green camouflage uniforms) which I’ll only wear for a week – like they said in the movie “Stripes” – “chicks are paying top dollar for this stuff in New York…” I’ll wear the tan ACU’s (army combat uniform) when at Fort Riley. I’ll be at ECRC all this coming week doing check outs on what I’ll need to know once I report to Fort Riley. FYI - http://www.ecrc.navy.mil/ is the link to ECRC. I’ll report to Fort Riley around 14 October and start turn over with the incumbent – a LCDR. Being a Commander in rank will help drive out problems faster I think – I’ll be the ECRC representative at the base and will be empowered to make a lot of decisions in support of our sailors benefit more expeditiously IMO.

Thursday was a pretty light day since I had already done 99% of the stuff on my checklist prior to getting to Norfolk – just had to finish check out with medical, got some dog tags and went to an ECRC briefing on fraternization and sexual harassment – great briefings by a Chief Shelton from ECRC where he used some actual cases with names changed to show how either of those would ruin a career. Message received by all I think! I had an opportunity to see an old ND friend of mine, Eric Vorst – we went out to dinner and a general night of mild debauchery – great to see him again! Made a new friend (Eric’s best man), Scott Almond who lives here in Norfolk area. Found out that Scott is a huge sailing buff and has organized several sailing regattas over the past 10 years and invited me to help out for a race on Saturday – the Willoughby Harbor Memorial– which I jumped on! We had a great time on Saturday with 20 sailboats racing – I even helped out with the Race Committee boat tasks in setting up the course, capturing timings and the requisite after party events. Awesome time – thanks Scott!

Friday was a final briefing day, got all of our records and original orders back and ready to move on to the next steps. Also got yet another bag of clothes (tan ACUs), PT gear, 2 pairs of boots, the whole shebang. Tons to carry. I moved out of the BOQ (Bachelor Officers Quarters) from Norfolk to Little Creek ready to report to ECRC next week.

I’ll try to keep all up to date on my next steps after I get to Fort Riley – thanks for all your continued support for not only me but other soldiers and sailors separated from friends and family like you.

I’m sure I’ve missed folks on this distro (apologies) so please feel free to pass this on if you think it interesting enough to do so.

Talk to you soon.


PS – if you no longer wish to here these droning, let me know and I’ll take you off the distro…


V/R
Tony E. TroupCDR USN630-561-9691 (cell)
630-219-1566 (Skype number)tonytroup@onebox.com or ttroup@gmail.com (h)tony.e.troup@navy.mil (mil)
SKYPE: cdr.tony.e.troup and +16302191566
AIM: tonytroup